Hair styling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hair styling apparatus includes a handle dimensioned for engagement by a user and a treatment head mounted to the handle and defining a longitudinal axis. The treatment head includes a straightening segment for imparting a straightening effect on hair and a curling segment for imparting a curling effect on the hair. The straightening segment has a plurality of stationary elements and a plurality of movable elements disposed adjacent the stationary elements. The movable elements are adapted for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the stationary elements whereby adjacent stationary and movable elements receive hair therebetween. First and second curling segments may be on opposed longitudinal sides of the straightening segment. At least one or both of the first and second curling segments includes a heating element.

CROSS REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/899,916 filed Nov. 5, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to hair styling, and, more particularly, relates to a hair styling apparatus for selectively imparting a straightening and/or curling effect on hair.

BACKGROUND

Various known hair styling appliances exist in which hair is dried, heated, styled and straightened. Handheld appliances of this type typically include a heater, a fan element, and a comb attachment. In these types of appliances, straightening may be achieved by combing. At least one known design includes multiple flat surfaces that close against each other to compress hair strands between flat surfaces. However, these devices are devoid of any capability of imparting a curl to a hair segment.

Another device is disclosed in PCT WO 2007/136445 to Julemont/CONAIR CORP., the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to further improvements in hair styling apparatuses. In accordance with one embodiment, a hair styling apparatus includes a handle dimensioned for engagement by a user and a treatment head mounted to the handle and defining a longitudinal axis. The treatment head includes a straightening segment for imparting a straightening effect on hair and a curling segment for imparting a curling effect on the hair. The straightening segment has a plurality of stationary elements and a plurality of movable elements disposed adjacent the stationary elements. The movable elements are adapted for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the stationary elements whereby adjacent stationary and movable elements receive hair therebetween. First and second curling segments may be on opposed longitudinal sides of the straightening segment. At least one or both of the first and second curling segments includes a heating element.

A tensioning spring for biasing the plurality of moving elements in a longitudinal direction to a position whereby the stationary and movable elements are in an at least partially overlapping relation may be provided. A tensioning dial for selectively adjusting resistance of the tensioning spring may also be provided.

At least one comb segment may be adjacent a longitudinal side of the straightening segment. First and second comb segments may be on opposed longitudinal sides of the straightening segment. The first and second comb segments may be disposed between the straightening segment and respective first and second curling segments.

A heater may be adjacent the straightening segment for heating the strand of hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 are front and rear perspective views illustrating the hair styling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3-4 are left and right side elevation views of the hair styling apparatus

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hair styling apparatus;

FIGS. 6-7 are top and bottom plan views of the hair styling apparatus;

FIGS. 8-9 are rear and front axial views of the hair styling apparatus;

FIGS. 10A-10D are schematic illustrations illustrating the tensioning dial in four positions to control the degree of force on the movable unit; and

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate the movable unit in a full overlapping condition, a partial overlapping condition and an open condition with respect to the stationary unit, respectively, during reception and treatment of hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, the hair styling apparatus 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. The hair styling apparatus is particularly adapted to apply a straightening and/or curling effect or treatment on the hair of a subject. The hair styling apparatus 10 includes a handle 12 and a treatment head 14 extending from the handle 12. The treatment head 14 defines a longitudinal axis “k”. The handle 12 is dimensioned for engagement by the user, and may be linear in configuration in general alignment with the longitudinal axis ‘k” of the treatment head 14. Alternatively, the handle 12 may be obliquely arranged relative to the longitudinal axis ‘k’, or may define a pistol configuration. The handle 12 further includes one or more controls for controlling operation of the hair styling apparatus. The controls may include a power on/off switch 16 and a temperature control switch[es] 18 to selectively increase or decrease heat applied to the treatment head 14. The temperature control switch 18 may provide incremental control of the temperature supplied to the treatment head 14 or may provide a finite number of temperature conditions, e.g., low, medium, high heat, etc. An LED window 20 may provide an indication of the respective statuses of the power on/off switch 16 and the temperature control 18. An extension cord “c” extends from the handle 12 for connection to a power source. Alternatively, the hair styling apparatus 10 may be battery operated.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-8, the treatment head 14 includes a centrally disposed straightening segment 22 for imparting a straightening effect on hair and at least one curling segment 24 on one side of the straightening segment 22 for imparting a curling effect on hair. As best depicted in FIG. 5, in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the straightening segment 22 includes a stationary unit 26 having a stationary base 28 and a plurality of stationary elements 30 depending radially outwardly from the stationary base 28 and relative to the longitudinal axis “k”. The stationary elements 30 are disposed in longitudinally spaced relation. Each stationary element 30 may define a generally triangular or arch shape when viewed in plan having shearing edges 32 converging to an upper curved apex 34, and defining a central opening 36 within the boundary of the shearing edges 32 and the apex 34. The central openings 36 define a continuous longitudinal passage extending at least partially through the straightening segment 22.

The straightening segment 22 also includes a movable or dynamic unit 38 disposed within the stationary unit 26, e.g., at least partially within the longitudinal passage defined by the central openings 36. The movable unit 38 includes a movable base 40 and a plurality of movable elements 42 depending radially outwardly from the movable base 40 and relative to the longitudinal axis ‘k”. The movable elements 42 are also disposed in longitudinal spaced relation. The movable unit 38 is adapted for longitudinal movement, e.g., reciprocal longitudinal movement, relative to, and at least partially within, the stationary unit 26. In one embodiment, the movable unit 38 is mounted about a rod 44 extending through a longitudinal opening 46 in the movable base 40 and slides along the rod 44 during longitudinal movement of the movable unit 38. Each movable element 42 includes a generally triangular shape with a pair of extending and converging sides 45 joined at apex 46 generally complementary to the shapes of the stationary elements 30. The sides 45 include first and second internal shearing edges 48. The shearing edges 48 may be planar or beveled. The converging sides 44 may include beveled, oblique, or curved surfaces 50 arranged adjacent the apex 46. The curved surfaces 50 may facilitate placement of a strand or strands of hair (hereinafter, hair) relative to the converging sides 44 and also will assist in moving the movable unit 38 during hair treatment as will be discussed.

Each movable element 42 of the movable unit 38 is disposed adjacent a respective stationary element 30 of the stationary unit 36 to receive the hair strand therebetween. It is noted that during positioning of the hair strand, the curved surfaces 50 adjacent apex 46 of the movable elements 42 facilitate placement of the hair strand between the adjacent stationary and movable elements 30, 42. The movable elements 42 are sized to be at least partially received within the openings 36 of adjacent stationary elements 30, i.e., each movable element 42 may move into and out of proximity relative to a respective adjacent stationary element 30. The moveable element 42 and associated adjacent stationary element 30 impart a straightening effect on hair.

With reference now to FIGS. 1, 5 and 9, the movable unit 38 further includes a tensioning dial or element 52, a cam 54 and a spring 56. The spring 56 is engageable with the movable unit 38 to normally bias the movable unit 38 in a longitudinal direction, e.g., in the direction of the handle 12. The tensioning dial 52 and the cam 54 are operatively couplable with the spring 56 through, e.g. latch 58, for selectively adjusting resistance of the spring 56. As best depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10A-10D, the tensioning dial 52 is movable through a plurality of tensioning positions, e.g., four, to control the degree of biasing force on the movable unit 38 in the e.g., proximal direction. The cam 54 may have bayonet-type or detent type settings 54 a-54 d corresponding to the four tensioning positions. Additionally, the detents 54 a-54 d may provide an audible click confirming movement between the four settings. In FIGS. 10A-10D, the stationary unit 26 is removed for clarity. As shown, the degree of biasing effect on the movable unit 38 by the tensioning dial 52, the cam 54 and the spring 56 decreases upon rotation of the tensioning dial 52 from the first position of the dial 54 depicted in FIG. 10A to the fourth position of the dial 52 depicted in FIG. 10D. FIGS. 10B-10C depict the second and third positions of the dial 52 respectively. As depicted in FIGS. 5 and 11, the movable unit 38 may be normally biased toward a position whereby the movable elements 42 are in overlapping relation with adjacent stationary elements 30 with the degree of biasing force being controlled by the tensioning dial 52 as discussed hereinabove.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the treatment head 14 may include at least one, and in embodiments, first and second curling segments 24 for imparting a curling effect on hair. In one embodiment, the first and second curling segments 24 are disposed on opposed longitudinal sides of the straightening segment 22. At least one, e.g., both, of the first and second curling segments 24 includes a heating element. The curling segments 24 may include conductive material. Each curling segment 24 includes an arcuate or curved outer edge 62 which contacts the hair to impart a curl or wave to the hair strand as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. Temperature of the first and second curling segments 24 may be controlled by the temperature control switch 18 on the handle 12. A separate switch[es] may be provided on handle 12 to independent or simultaneously control the temperature of the first and second curling segments 60.

As depicted in FIGS. 1, 5 and 8, the treatment head 14 may further include first and second side combs 64 having bases 66 and comb teeth elements 68 depending from the bases 66. The side combs 64 are fixed relative to the treatment head 14 and may be disposed between the straightening segment 22 and the first and second curling segments 24.

In operation, a user holds the hair styling apparatus 10 by the handle 12. The user brushes the treatment head 14 into the hair as if using a styling brush. Strands of hair will contact the curved, angular surfaces 50 of the converging sides 44 when entering the gaps 70 (best shown in FIG. 12) between the top surfaces of adjacent stationary elements 30 and movable elements 42. As the hair is pulled against the angular surfaces 50, the spring 56 is overcome so that the movable elements 42 and movable base 40 translate together against the spring 56 in the direction of directional arrow “b” (FIG. 12). This causes the movable elements 42 to move away from an adjacent stationary element 30 and against the bias of the spring 56 sufficient to permit the hair to slip and be received between adjacent stationary elements 30 and movable elements 42 of the stationary and the movable units 26, 38, respectively. However, the tensioning element 52 and the spring 56 normally bias the movable unit 26 toward the overlapping relation of FIG. 11 thereby pinching or compressing the hair between respective shearing edges 32, 48 of the stationary and movable units 26, 38, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 12. During the procedure, the degree of biasing of the spring 56 may be adjusted via the tensioning dial 52. In FIG. 12, the hair is disposed between the inclined or angular surfaces 32 a, 50 of the shearing edges 32, 48 of the stationary and movable elements 30, 42. FIG. 13 illustrates the hair further advanced and disposed within the transverse surfaces 32 b, 48 b of the shearing edges 32, 48. The term “shearing” is used to describe shearing forces that are applied to the hair strands by two edges that pass closely adjacent each other so that an object (i.e., hair) spanning between the two edges is receiving the resultant shearing forces, and thereby applying a straightening effect on the hair strand. The engaged hair may be subject to heat transferred through the stationary and/or movable units 26, 28 through, e.g., conduction of heat or heated air passing through the apparatus 10. The first and second side combs 64 with comb teeth elements 68 will comb and/or separate the hair strand prior to or subsequent to application of the straightening segment 22.

When it is desired to impart a curl or flip to the hair strand, e.g., at the end of the hair strand, the handle 12 may be rotated to cause contact of either curling segment 24 to the hair strand with the hair strand at least partially wrapping about the respective curling segment 24 in a manner similar to the use of a curling iron. Either side of the treatment head 14 may be utilized to impart curls or waves to the hair with the curling segments 24.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair styling apparatus, which comprises: a handle defining a longitudinal axis, the handle dimensioned for engagement by a user; and a treatment head mounted to the handle, the treatment head including: a straightening segment for imparting a straightening effect on hair, the straightening segment having: a plurality of stationary elements; and a plurality of movable elements disposed adjacent the stationary elements, the movable elements adapted for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the stationary elements whereby adjacent stationary and movable elements receive hair therebetween; and a curling segment for imparting a curling effect on hair.
 2. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 first and second curling segments on opposed longitudinal sides of the straightening segment.
 3. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the first and second curling segments includes a heating element.
 4. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of the first and second curling segments includes a heating element.
 5. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including a tensioning spring for biasing the plurality of moving elements in a longitudinal direction whereby adjacent stationary and movable elements are in overlapping relation at least in the absence of hair therebetween.
 6. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 5 including a tensioning dial for selectively adjusting resistance of the tensioning spring.
 7. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2 including at least one comb segment adjacent a longitudinal side of the straightening segment.
 8. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 7 including first and second comb segments on opposed longitudinal sides of the straightening segment.
 9. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first and second comb segments are disposed between the straightening segment and respective first and second curling segments.
 10. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including a heater adjacent the straightening segment for heating the hair. 